Electromagnetically controlled device



April 6 1926. 1,580,025-

J. EATON v ELECTROMAGNETICALLY CONTROLLED DEVICE Origin-a1 Filed Sept29, 1921 Inventor: dohn Eaton,

His Attorneg.

open position hen thei'current in t.

Patented Apr. 6, 1926.

*JOHN'EATONQ OF SCHENECTADYYNEXV YORK,*ASSIGNOB TOGEl'JERALELEQTRIG"CD1\I iPANY, -A GORZPQRATIGN -@F*1\T EV/'OEK.

ELECTRQMAGNETIGALLYiCONJROLLED;DEVICE.

To-[ZZZ 1111 20722 it mag Vconcern: v

Be itclznownthat I; JoiiNiEATom a snbject of Great,Britain,(residing,vat Scheneotady,,inlthe conntyof Schenec ady, Statco'lT'QNeW fYork rhave invented certain new and use'lnl ImprovementsvtinElectromagneticallyGontrolled Devices, of. which: the followin isaspecification.

)ne oi the objects ofthe;inyentioiris to provide an ,improved,electroniagnetically controlled device iniivhich aicontrolledmemherbiased to one mposition is magnetically held. in a secoi' dpositionlwhen rthe energization of an electromagnet is above avpredeterminedminimum valne,,a nd arranged so that whenitheenergizationof the electromagnet is above a predeterminedmaximum.value,.

the controlled member is directly. operated awayutrom the i second iposition.

:A further object of. the invention .is v to providean,'electroinagnetically controlled :device having a controlledniembeimwhich,iis rinderlthe control of .twozrelatively movable magneticmembers, anditthe arrangement siich -thatthe controlled member is movedto and magnetically heldiin avsecond position while theenergization[ofitheselectromagnet isialoove a predetermined,minimumvalne by a moven' ent or one ofthe magnetic members indepen,deIitly ,v vof lthe. other; anagnetic member, and'the controlled memberwis operatedaway from the seoondlpositionby a; substantially simultaneous .movementof the magnetic membersWwhenthe energization of the electroma-gnet isiniexcessiof a predetermined value.

A- further object of the invention. is,to provide. anelectromagnetic'ally controlled switch in Which a switch memberismagnetica lly held in the "closed positionnagainst its bias to the openpositionwhen the current in the Win'dingot' the electromagnetis above apredetermined value. and which .is magnetically and directly operated tovthe hewind- .ing of:the clectron agnet is above a predetermined maximumvalue.

' A still further object of the invention :is

to. provide an improved circuit controller which combines the feature:of manual control and also thelfeature of automatic icontrol toprotect, the controlled circuit from abnormal, conditions SLlCl1,=fOIeXamYple -as an overload or a failure oi": voltage; ialthongh in certainofits. aspects"thevinventionis not necessarily limited to a manuallycontrolled switch.

The present vinvention is amodified form of the electromagn eticallycontrolled: device, for. 'WlllQlli I liledaan application-Eton patent.On SepternheryQQ, 1921,- Serial Now 5044,051. The electromagneticallycontrolled device of the prese-nt application is? broadly .coverechin mysaid .copendinig applicatioin Se rialfillfifih; filed-Sept. 29,1921. I

a Inca'rryi-ng the invention ainto; e-liectiin one form vas applied toan electromagnetic circuit controller, means is: 1 provided lifOI'closing and opening-the controlled icircuitzat the will of theoperatonor ,iir responseato any predetermined condition. Jlhe:v saidmeans may take the xform ot open, and close orstart and; stop-pushbuttons,although the invention is not limited to a pnsh-i-bnttonswitch,- nor; are certaina features of the iin- I.

vention; limited; to thei ruse in: aumannally operated switch. :Aswitchniember is under the control of the. said ni-eanszandialso underthe control of an; electromagnet Which-may have a single Windingenergized;responsively :to the; current; through the switch. Theelectromagnet 1 is; provided with a magnetic xnaovable member which; :isunder -:thecontrol ot-the magnet inding or. windings and the1&1333ng8113611t: is; 1 suclL I that; the switch member; ismagneticallyi held'ther eby in; an operative ipositionlas 1 long- 21s]the conditions in the controlled circuit are normal or until saidma-nnali means is operated to i etnrn [the switch toi its:oniginalposition. 1 Iii-leasean abnormal circuit condition occnrsysnolni'orexample, as a: tai-lnre of voltagethe; magnetic holding; effect {011 thesaid magnetic movablei membee is released and the switch anemherisaretnrned from the closed circuit position tothe open circuit positionin; ac- .COIZClQdlCQi with its laws; or 111 case there -ls an overloadin the controlledcircuit; tl1e- In a'g- 'netic; movable member isttllJOlIlfltlCilllYgQP- erated; toopenithe switch and to permit the.svvitclr member toaretu rn to. the. 3013611 positionnin accordancewithiitswbias. In; the presentytorin of the invention,:\ which has certainadvantageous features of :oonstrnction and arrangement which ,XVlllabQipo nted ont particularly hereinafter, "the; magnetic movable t meanscomprises q -.t\vo magnetic members which are move le l-indep ndently ofeach other,.and these two lnGIBbEIS GQOP- aerate-to control theswitchmember. lngthe particular form of the invention which 1 haveselected for purposes of illustration, the two magnetic members are inthe form of plungers operating within the magnetic circuit of thecontrolling electromagnet of the switch, although the invention is notnecessarily limited to an arrangement in which the elements are in theform 01" plungers. The one plunger is movable independently of the otherto close the switch, and the switch is magnetically held closed therebywhile the current in the switch winding is above a predetermined minimumvalue. In case the current through the magnet winding should rise abovepredetermined maximum value, the two plungers move simultaneously toopen the switch. The first plunger is separated from the second by anair gap which is open when the switch is open and which is closed whenthe switch is closed. Then the switch is closed, the two plungers areattracted and moved as a unit to close a second air gap in the magneticcircuit of the controlling electromagnet, and a resilient connection isprovided between the two plungers so that when the switch is thusautomatically opened the various parts of the switch will return totheir normally open positions.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference is had to theaccompanying drawings, in which 1 have shown an embodiment of myinvention. Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a side view of my improved switch in the open position; Fig. 2 is an end view of the samewith one of the parts broken away; Fig. 3 is a view showing the relativepositions of the parts of the switch when the switch is closed; Fig. 1is a view showing the relative positions of the parts of the switch whenthe switch is manually opened'; Fig. 5 is a top view of the switch inthe closed position as shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 6.is avery simplifieddiagram of a motor starting arrangement embodying the invention.

Referring to the drawings, the switch member 10 carries at its end arotatable contact 11 which is adapted to make engagement with the set ofresilient contacts 12 to close the switch and thereby complete theelectric circuit controlled by the switch and also to energize the coil13 of the elec- 'tromagnet for the switch. The switch member 10 ismounted in the end piece 1 1 so as to be movable with respect thereto,and the switch member is biased to the position shown in Fig. 1 by meansof the spring 15. The right hand end of the switch member 10 isconnected to the close or start push button 16, and the stop or openpush button 17 is also connected to the right hand end of the switchmember 10 through the lever 18.

The controlling electromagnet for the switch is provided with magneticmovable means which in the present form of the invention takes the formof two relatively movable plungers 19 and 20. The plunger 19- hasconnected thereto a pin 21 which is connected to the right hand end ofthe switch member 10 through the link 22 so that when the start pushbutton 16 is depressed to elevate the switch contact 11 into engagementwith the stationary contacts 12, the plunger 19 moves independently ofthe plunger 20 to close the air gap 23 so that the switch will be iagnetically held closed by the magnetic attraction between the twoplungers while the current in the magnet winding 13 is above apredetermined minimum value. The parts of the switch will b in theirrelative positions as shown in Fig. 8, and it will be observed that whenthe switch is closed, a second air gap 24 is open. in case the currentthrough the magnet winding of the switch should rise above apredetermined maximum value, the two plungers will move as a unitsimultaneously to close the air gap 24; and thereby cause the contact 11to break engagement with the stationary contacts 12. The circuit throughthe switch is thereby opened and the controlling electromagnetdeenergized, so that the switch will be automatically returned to itsinitial position shown .in Fig. 1. The spring 25 is provided for biasingthe plunger 20 to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3, and this springin cooperation with the spring 15 associated with the start push button16 provides a resilient connection between the plungers.

As thus constructed and arranged, the operation of my invention may bereadily understood from a description of Fig. 6 in connection with theother figures of the drawing. In order to close the switch, the pushbutton 16 is depressed against the action of the spring 15, therebyelevating the contact 11 into engagement with the stationary contacts 12and simultaneously moving the plunger 19 to close the air gap 23. Theelectric motor 26 is thereby connected across the source of supply 27,and the winding 13 of th controlling electromagnet of the switch isenergized to maintain the plunger 19 into engagement with the plunger20, thereby magnetically holding the switch closed against the action ofthe spring 15. In case the voltage of the supply circuit 27 shouldeither fail altogether or be reduced below a predetermined minimumvalue, the magnetic holding effect of the electromagnet will be reducedto such a value that the spring 15 will overpower the holding effectbetween the plungers 19 and 20, and the switch will be automaticallyreturned to the open position shown in Fig. 1. The switch will remain inthe open position until the operator again closes the same by depressingthe push button 16, or until its failure conditions.

In accordancewith theprovlsions of the and the saidCOnllOllfiCl:IDGRlbQT'WVhQTGbY- will be understood that when the currentin ieana ne win in oi't ie, f r i ti ,5 t d b tl switch lscs above 1 a rpredetermined value," the 1mrl:-:-- Y of. the

switchapproach their. resget-rtive positions slionurin hhgw 4,-but theseparts: (lo-not necessarily reach the position at which-the air gap isentirely closed, since as scones the circuit-through the switch is'opcncth ithe magnetic 1 h oldrng effect" of the switch is relieved, and:the spring 15. together Wllll "the spring-25 will-effect the return otthe parts of the switch to their normally OPGll'sPOSk -tions.

filVhen used-as a, push buttonon=-mannally opcratedwswitch, the 1invention has the advantages that the "SWltCllwHOt only serves thepurpose of the ordina-ryqstart an d stop; push button 1 arrangement, but.it: elsocombines the features of, providing voltag dailure andoverloadprotection in a switch -which need not necessarily be larger:than the ordinary start/and stop-push button'swit'ch. It

vill also be observed that only: a" single winding fortllGmCGlltIGlllllQ electromagnet of the switchsis necessary :for.magnetically holding the switch lclosed when the current in the winding1s--.-above a predetermined vminimum value,- andior magnetically 7opening". the ewitclrcwhen the current inithe iniagnet winding is abovea; predetermined maximumvalue.

1 It will; also be (observed J that if thestart but-ton -ls held"depressed,-- the-switch will be maintained closed and can notopen-automatically. This feature is LlSGClr toad vantage in aswitch-tonstartingr a: motor driving awashing1naclnne, -for example, in

vrhieh-the startingtorque required: is very great. and the normalrunning torque is materially less. If the start :button isheld depressedwduri-ng the startinginterval, the switch will be prevented fronropening due .to the initial rush of cnrrent andwhenthe motor, has comenpto speed the start-button may-be released to -permitthe switch toprotectthe inotor troni overload and voltage patent statutes, I havedescribed-the principle of operation of my, invention, together with theapparatus-which Inowconsider jto representthe best embodimenttliereof,--but I desire to have 'it understoodthat {the apparatus shownis only illustrative end-that the invention can be carried out byothermeans.

- What I claim as new :a 1-: d desire to secure by Letters Patent .01? vthe United 1 States-is 1. An electronin-gnetically controlled devicecomprising a movable controlled nosinber biased to one position,. acon-trolling electron' -agnet therefor. comprisinga 1 winding: and-twonormally-separated,anztgnetic -niovable members controlled thereby mtorcontrollin -.t-.ho said cont rolled memberand connections wherebythe-first otsaitniagnetic members moves into magnetic :relat-ion withthe second to operate; the said controlled member to, a controlledmember is magnetically held in the said secondpositionbyfthe magnetictattracti on between the saidmagnetic men bcrs while-the currentinthesaid-winding .is above a predetermined n'iihiinunn value, and thesaidsecond.inagnetic'imeinber rnoves the. ,saidfirst lTi'lQlllbQl tooperate the "said controlled member away from the saidssecend positionwhen the :current in 'the said winding rises to apredeterminedinaxinnnnY value. v

g2. 11in clectroin zgnetically controlled -;de-

vice ion-uprising ainov-able \controlled' meni- -ber biased .toaonc;position e controlling elcctroinagnet- 1 there for comprising; windendtwo vnormallyseparated magnetic -rnovable niernbers controlled therebfor controlling-I the said -.controlled@meniber and toonnectionsbetweenthe said magnetic; nem- -'-bers-. endgthelse-id contiiolled memberwhereby one of SftldlllllglleblfiIIIGIYllODI'S'lBOYQS?illltO-engegernentwith the other to -,operate the said controlledmember towsecoi'idrposition second position and the andrgneticallyghold the,said, icontrelled member win thesecoi-idi position owhile the -currentin the said. winding is above a. predetermined inin-iin uin elite,:and'; i the said magnetic membersmover-as lllfllli tooperate the saidcontrolled nieinber;aw-oy from itheisa id second position when the curre'ltin :the- 7 said. winding r is mbove a predetermined iniiX'i-ninnrvalue. .73., An: electron sgnetically controlled. de- :vice' comprisinga movable controlled member. biasedzwto one position,; a-controllingclectroniagnet theretor comprising: a anag- '=]1Gl3lC'StE11CtU16,- awinding, end twonrela- :tivclymovable-magnetic ineinbcrscontrolledthereby for .controlling the said controlled member, the first or saidmagnetic;members i normally separated from th .seidsecond magneticmember by anralrvgap, and connections between the said magnetic membersoperating the said controllednieinber to a second position closes thesaid air gap and places the said controlled member under the control ofthe said first magnetic member when the current in the said winding isless than a predetermined value, and establishes a second air gap toplace the said controlled member under the control of the secondmagnetic member to operate the said controlled member to a secondposition by the pull across the said second air gap when the current inthe said winding is greater than a predetermined value.

4. The combination in an electric switch of a switch member biased tothe open position, a controlling elcctromagnet therefor comprising awinding and two magnetic movable members controlled thereby forcontrolling the said switch member, and means whereby the first of saidmagnetic members moves independently of the second to close the switchand the switch is magnetically held closed thereby while the current inthe said winding is above a prede termined minimum value, and the saidmagnetic members move simultaneously to open I the said switch when thecurrent in the said winding rises to a predetermined maximum value.

5. The combination in an electric switch of a switch member biased tothe open position, a controlling electromagnet therefor comprising awinding and two magnetic movable members controlled thereby forcontrolling the said switch member, and

means whereby one 0t sa1d magnetic mem-- bers moves independently of theother to close the switch and magnetically hold the switch closed, andboth of said magnetic members move as a unit to open the switch when thecurrent in the said winding is above a predetermined value.

6. The combination in an electric switch of a switch member biased tothe open position, a controlling electromagnet therefor comprising awinding energized responsively to the current through the switch and twomagnetic movable members controlled thereby for controlling the saidswitch member, and means whereby the first of said magnetic membersmoves independently of the second to close the switch and to close oneair gap and open a second air gap and thereby magnetically hold theswitch in the closed position while the current in the said winding isabove a predetermined minimum value, and both the said magnetic membersmove to close the said second air gap and open the switch when thecurrent in the said winding rises to a predetermined maximum.

7. The combination in an electric switch of a switch member biased to anopen position, a controllingclectromagnet therefor comprising a windintwo magnetic movable members t'or controlling the said switch member,the said magnetic members connected to mechanically operate the saidswitch member and the first of said magnetic members separated from thesecond magnetic member by an air gap, and means for closing the switchand the said air gap to place the switch member under the control of thefirst magnetic member to open the switch when the current in the saidwinding is less than a predetermined value and under the control of thesecond magnetic member to open the switch when the current in the saidwinding is greater than a predetermined value. v

8. The combination in an electric switch of a switch member biased tothe open position, a controlling electromagnet therefor comprising awinding energized responsive- 1y to the current through the switch andtwo magnetic movable members controlled thereby for controlling the saidswitch member, a mechanical connection between the first of saidmagnetic members and the said switch members, and a resilient connectionbetween the said magnetic members, the arrangement being such that thefirst of said magnetic members is separated from the second by an airgap which is closed when the switch is closed, the said switch member ismagnetically held in the closed position while the current is above apredetermined minimumvalue by the magnetic attraction between the saidmagnetic members and both of said magnetic members move as a unit toopen the switch due to the magnetic pull across the said second air gapwhen the current in the said magnet winding rises to a predeterminedmaximum value.

'9. The combination in an electric switch of a switch member biased tothe open position, manually operated means for closing theswitch, acontrolling electromagnet for the said switch member comprising awinding energized responsively to the current through the switch,magnetic movable means controlled by the said electromagnet formagnetically holding the switch member in the closed position when thecurrent in the said winding is above a predetermined minimum value andfor .magnetically returning the switch member to the open position whenthe current in the said winding is above a predetermined maximum value,and connections between the said manually operated means and switchmember whereby the switch member may be held in the closed positionregardless of the current in the said magnet winding.

10. The combination in an electric switch of a switch member biased tothe open position, a controlling electromagnet therefor comprising awinding energized responsively to the current through the switch and twomagnetic movable members controlled thereby for controlling the saidswitch member,

means whereby the first of said magnetic members moves independently ofthe second to close the switch and the switch is magnetically heldclosed thereby while the current in the said winding is above apredetermined minimum Value, and the said magnetic members movesimultaneously to open the switch when the current in the said windingrises to a predetermined maximum Value, manually operated meansconnected to the said 10 switch member for operating the same to theclosed position and holding the switch memher in the closed positionduringthe initial rush of current through the said winding.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set 15 my hand this 28th day ofSeptember, 1921.

JOHN EATON.

